Apparatus and method for multimedia communication

ABSTRACT

A process that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, recording, by a mobile communication, media content in a first media format and accessing a wireless media system by way of a wireless communication network. A request is transmitted to the remote media system to store the recorded media content in the first media format. The recorded media content is transmitted to the remote media system, without retaining a copy of the recorded media content in the first media format at the mobile communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/943,377 filed Jul. 16, 2013, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/480,865, filed May 25, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,504,658, whichis a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/848,373 filed Aug. 31, 2007, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,208,947.The contents of each of the foregoing are hereby incorporated byreference into this application as if set forth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication services andmore specifically to an apparatus and method for multimediacommunication.

BACKGROUND

Sharing of multimedia content among communication devices, includingwireless and mobile devices, can be done directly through transmittingthe data therebetween. This can be a time-consuming and costly effort.Use of an intermediary, such as an electronic mailbox, can save time andeffort but still requires the sender to make each of the recipientsaware of the existence of the multimedia content. Additionally, not allof the recipients may be able to gain access to the electronic mailbox.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 depict exemplary embodiments of communication systems;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of thecommunication systems; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storagemedium can have computer instructions for receiving a request todistribute media content from a communication device, receiving one ormore targeted recipients of the media content, receiving a type ofdistribution associated with the one or more targeted recipients,receiving a recipient format for the media content associated with theone or more targeted recipients, receiving and storing the mediacontent, adjusting a format of the media content according to therecipient format, and transmitting a notification associated with themedia content to the one or more targeted recipients.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a server can have acontroller to receive media content, receive a request for distributionof media content from a communication device, receive a desired formatof each of a plurality of targeted recipients for the media content, andadjust a format of the media content based at least in part on thedesired format.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a mobile communicationdevice can have a controller to transmit to a media server a request fordistribution of media content to one or more targeted recipientsaccording to a user profile associated with the mobile communicationdevice that is stored in the media server. A format of the media contentcan be adjusted by the media server based at least in part on the userprofile.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method can involvestoring a user profile associated with a communication device, where theuser profile can have at least one of one or more targeted recipients ofmedia content, a type of distribution associated with the one or moretargeted recipients, and a recipient format for the media contentassociated with the one or more targeted recipients. The method caninvolve receiving a request to distribute media content from acommunication device, receiving the media content, and adjusting aformat of the media content according to user profile.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 100employing an IPTV broadcast media architecture. In a typical IPTVinfrastructure, there is at least one super head office server (SHS)which receives national media programs from satellite and/or mediaservers from service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. The SHSserver forwards IP packets associated with the media content to videohead servers (VHS) via a network of video head offices (VHO) accordingto a common multicast communication method. The VHS then distributesmultimedia broadcast programs to commercial and/or residential buildings102 housing a gateway 104 (e.g., a residential gateway or RG). Thegateway 104 distributes broadcast signals to media receivers 106 such asSet-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast selections to mediadevices 108 such as computers or television units managed in someinstances by a media controller 107 (e.g., an infrared or RF remotecontrol). Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between the mediareceivers 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system 100 for servicessuch as video-on-demand (VoD).

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 200employing a IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture.Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupled withcommunication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

The communication 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 240, atElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and network elements of anIMS network 250. The IMS network 250 can be coupled to IMS compliantcommunication devices (CD) 201, 202 or a Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN) CD 203 using a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF) 220that connects the call through a common PSTN network 260. CDs 201-203can be fixed, mobile, wireless and/or wired devices.

IMS CDs 201, 202 register with the IMS network 250 by contacting a ProxyCall Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with anAuthentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) support by the HSS240. To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originatingIMS CD 201 can submit a SIP INVITE message to an originating P-CSCF 204which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF 206. Theoriginating S-CSCF 206 can submit the SIP INVITE message to anapplication server (AS) such as reference 210 that can provide a varietyof services to IMS subscribers. For example, the application server 115can be used to perform originating treatment functions on the callingparty number received by the originating S-CSCF 206 in the SIP INVITEmessage.

Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, and/or isrequesting special telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on).Additionally, the originating SCSCF 206 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP UniformResource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMScompliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, theENUM system 230 will respond with an unsuccessful IP SIP addressresolution and the S-CSCF 206 will forward the call to the MGCF 220 viaa Breakout Gateway Control Function (not shown).

When the ENUM server 230 returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submit a query to the HSS 240 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 202. Once identified, the I-CSCF 207 can submit theSIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214 which can call on anapplication server similar to reference 210 to perform the originatingtreatment telephony functions described earlier. The terminating S-CSCF214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216 associated with theterminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals the CD 202 to establishcommunications. The aforementioned process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 can be interchanged.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 300employing fixed and/or mobile communication devices 316 communicating byway of wireless access points (WAPs) and/or wired infrastructure withother communication devices and/or a network proxy or web server 322,which collectively operate in the communication system 300.Communication system 300 can be overlaid or operably coupled withcommunication systems 100 and/or 200 as another representativeembodiment of the communication system.

The communication device 316 can be a multimode communication device,such as a multimode VoIP terminal. However, the present disclosure alsocontemplates the use of other types of communication devices, includingother types of voice, video and data devices. The communication system300 can comprise a packet-switched network 305. The packet-switchednetwork can be an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 305. Thenetwork 305 can be coupled to the network proxy 322, the cellularnetwork 313 and network elements located in one or more of the buildings312 representing an enterprise or residence. The ISP network 305utilizes technology for transporting Internet traffic.

In an enterprise setting, the building 312 can include a gateway 314that provides voice and/or video connectivity services betweencommunication devices 316, such as VoIP terminals or other forms ofcommunication devices of enterprise personnel. In a residential setting,the building 312 can include a gateway 314 represented by, for example,a residential gateway coupled to central office 306 utilizingconventional telephonic switching for processing calls with thirdparties.

The network proxy 322 can be used to control operations of a mediagateway 309, the central office 306 and the gateway 314. Communicationsbetween the network proxy 322, the communication devices 316 and othernetwork elements of the communication system 300 can conform to anynumber of signaling protocols such as a session initiation protocol(SIP), SS7, or a video communications protocol such as H.323 whichcombines video and voice over a packet-switched network, as well ascryptographic protocols, such as transport layer security (TLS) orsecure sockets layer (SSL), to provide secure communications for datatransfers.

The network proxy 322 can comprise a communications interface 324 thatutilizes common technology for communicating over an IP interface withthe network 305, the media gateway 309, the cellular network 313, and/orthe gateway 314. By way of the communications interface 324, the networkproxy 322 can direct by common means any of the foregoing networkelements to establish packet switched data, voice, and/or videoconnections between communication devices 316 distributed throughout thecommunication system 300. The network proxy 322 can further comprise amemory 326 (such as a high capacity storage medium) embodied in thisillustration as a database, and a controller 328 that makes use ofcomputing technology such as a desktop computer, or scalable server forcontrolling operations of the network proxy 322. The network proxy 322can operate as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) conforming in part toprotocols defined by standards bodies such as 3GPP (Third GenerationPartnership Protocol).

Under the control of the network proxy 322, the media gateway 309 canlink packet-switched and circuit-switched technologies such as thecellular network 313 (or central office 306) and the network 305, suchas an ISP network. The media gateway 309 can conform to a media gatewaycontrol protocol (MGCP) also known as H.248 defined by work groups inthe Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). This protocol can handlesignaling and session management needed during a multimedia conference.The protocol defines a means of communication that converts data fromthe format required for a circuit-switched network to that required fora packet-switched network. MGCP can therefore be used to set up,maintain, and terminate calls between multiple disparate networkelements of the communication system 300. The media gateway 309 cantherefore support hybrid communication environments for communicationdevices 316, including VoIP terminals.

The central office 306 can house common network switching equipment fordistributing local and long-distance telecommunication services suppliedby network 305 to buildings 312 (such as dwellings or commercialenterprises). Telecommunication services of the central office 306 caninclude traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and broadbandservices such as HDTV, DSL, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), IPTV(Internet Protocol Television), Internet services, and so on. Thecommunication system 300 can utilize common computing and communicationstechnologies to support circuit-switched and/or packet-switchedcommunications.

The cellular network 313 can support voice and data services over anumber of access technologies such as GSM-GPRS, EDGE, CDMA-1X, UMTS,WiMAX, software defined radio (SDR), and other known and futuretechnologies. The cellular network 313 can be coupled to base stations327 under a frequency-reuse plan for communicating over-the-air withroaming VoIP terminals 316.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 400employing fixed and/or mobile communication devices 316 communicating byway of wireless access points (WAPs) and/or wired infrastructure withother communication devices and/or a media server 422, whichcollectively operate in the communication system 400. Communicationsystem 400 can be overlaid or operably coupled with communicationsystems 100, 200 and/or 300 as another representative embodiment of thecommunication system.

Media server 422 can include various components and can utilize variousprotocols to communicate with a storage area network 426, as well as tocommunicate with one or more other communication devices 316, such asfor distributing multimedia content and transmitting notifications. Themedia server 422 can include components and technology for reformattingmultimedia content, such as according to preferences of a targetedrecipient. The storage area network 426 can include various componentsand can utilize various protocols to store data related to users of thecommunication system 400. For example, the storage area network 426 caninclude one or more user mailboxes, such as secure mailboxes, which canstore various information including multimedia content. The storage areanetwork 426 can also include one or more user profiles that can storevarious information including user preferences, targeted recipients,recipient preferences, and other information. Multimedia content can bedelivered directly to the communication devices 316 from the mediaserver 422 as represented by the dashed lines.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method 500 operating in portions of thecommunication systems 100-400. Method 500 has variants as depicted bythe dashed lines. It would be apparent to an artisan with ordinary skillin the art that other embodiments not depicted in FIG. 5 are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the claims described below. Forconvenience, the term communication system 100 as used in the followingparagraphs can mean communication systems 100, 200, 300 and 400 singlyor in combination, and the term communication device 316 can meancommunication devices 201, 202, 203 and 316 singly or in combination.

Method 500 begins with step 502 in which the communication device 316can obtain multimedia content that is to be stored and/or distributed tothe communication devices of one or more targeted recipients. Forexample, the communication device 316 can include a video recorder forcapturing moving images. Other media types are also contemplated by thepresent disclosure, such as still images, music, and video games, amongothers. The present disclosure also contemplates the communicationdevice obtaining the multimedia content by other techniques, such as thecontent being forwarded from another communication device. Thecommunication device 316 can also obtain the multimedia content fromanother device or network, such as by accessing a remote database. Forexample, the communication device 316 can browse multimedia content froma remote database and instruct that the multimedia content be forwardedto the user's mailbox without storing the content in the communicationdevice.

In step 504, the communication device 316 can transmit a distributionrequest associated with the multimedia content to the media server 422.In one embodiment, the distribution request can be incorporated into thestep of capturing the multimedia content, such as a function key on thecommunication device 316 that provides for both capturing video anddistributing the video. In step 506, the multimedia content can betransmitted to the media server 422 where it is stored by the storagearea network 426, such as in a secure user mailbox associated with theuser's communication device 316. In one embodiment, the user can accesshis or her mailbox to view the multimedia content, as well as to viewinformation associated with the multimedia content, such as size andformat, as well as the status of delivery to or access by targetedrecipients. The user can also specify one or more properties associatedwith the multimedia content, e.g., title, description, and so forth.

In step 508, the media server 422 can determine the distribution methodto be used for the multimedia content. For example, the multimediacontent can be provided to targeted recipients via pull distributionwhere a message or notification of the existence of the multimediacontent is provided to targeted recipients. As another example of a pulldistribution, the multimedia content can be transmitted to a mailbox ofthe targeted recipient for selective access by the targeted recipient,such as a secure user mailbox associated with each or any of targetedrecipients in the storage area network 426. As yet another example, themultimedia content can be provided to the targeted recipients via pushdistribution where the content is transmitted directly to thecommunication device of the targeted recipient.

The type of distribution can be selected by the sender and/or therecipient associated with the communication device 316 and/or can bedetermined according to the user profile associated with thecommunication device 316, as stored in the storage area network 426. Forexample, the user profile can designate rules for multimedia contentdistribution according to push, pull or a combination of both. Thedesignated distribution rules can be based upon the type of mediacontent, the type or identity of the communication device (e.g., a userprofile associated with multiple communication devices), the targetedrecipients, and/or other factors. For example, a user profile canidentify targeted recipients and designate that pull distribution is tobe used for those targeted recipients using cellular phones while pushdistribution is to be used for those targeted recipients using desktopcomputers. As another example, the type of distribution can be selectedby the user of the communication device 316, such as at the time of thedistribution request as recited back in step 504.

The present disclosure also contemplates user profiles for the senderand the recipients of the multimedia content. User profiles can beassociated with one or more of the sender and the recipients. In oneembodiment, a selection of the type of distribution by the user of thecommunication device 316 can override any distribution designationprovided in the user profile of the sender and/or the recipient. Forexample, a sender's selection of the type of distribution can overrideany distribution designation provided in the user profile of a recipientand/or a recipient's selection of the type of distribution can overrideany distribution designation provided in the user profile of arecipient. Rules can be established with respect to the priority ofoverriding, such as a sender's selection of a type of distribution canoverride a recipient's selection of the type of distribution.

If the multimedia content is not to be distributed via pull distributionthen in step 510 the media server 422 can transmit the content to thecommunication devices of the targeted recipients. The targetedrecipients can be designated in the user profile, which can beinterrogated by the media server 422, such as upon receipt of multimediacontent. The present disclosure also contemplates targeted recipientsbeing designated through a selection made by the user of thecommunication device 316, such as in addition to or replacement of thetargeted recipients designated in the user profile.

In one embodiment, a notification or message can be sent to the targetedrecipients to advise that the multimedia content is going to betransmitted to the targeted recipients, as in step 511. For example, thepush distribution notification can be forwarded to the targetedrecipient a particular time period before the transmittal of themultimedia content to allow the targeted recipient to respond byauthorizing the push distribution, requesting that the multimediacontent not be transmitted, or to request a pull distribution.

If on the other hand, the multimedia content is to be transmitted viapull distribution then in step 512 a notification or message can be sentto the targeted recipients to advise of the existence of the content.The message can include a link to provide access to the multimediacontent stored in the storage area network 426. The message can alsoinclude instructions on how to access the multimedia content. The typeof message and means for transmitting the message can be designated inthe user profile, such as a message via email, page and/or web services.In step 514, upon proper authentication the media server 422 can alloweach of the targeted recipients to gain access to the multimediacontent.

In one embodiment, the media server 422 can reformat the multimediacontent according to preferences or a desired format stored in the userprofile that are associated with the communication devices of thetargeted recipients (e.g., a recipient format), as in step 516. Forexample, a user profile can designate a file format to be used forparticular communication devices of the targeted recipients that mayonly have software that is capable of reading that particular fileformat. As another example, a user profile can designate targetedrecipients that are to receive images of a particular resolution inorder to reduce the size of the multimedia content file and facilitateaccess for the communication device. The degree of reformatting of themultimedia content by the media server 422 can vary from merelyadjusting a color contrast or other property of an image (e.g., aresolution) to re-encoding the file for use by a particularcommunication device. The media server 422 can store each of thereformatted files in the storage area network 426.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, other information canbe provided by the distributor of the multimedia content, such as thetitle or summary of the content or its urgency. The targeted recipientsand the types of distribution can be varied. For example, the userprofile can have a number of entries for various targeted recipients andvarious types of distribution associated with those targeted recipients.The user can select a particular entry through use of his or hercommunication device, such as at the time of requesting distribution.The entries can also be modified at anytime to provide furtherflexibility and efficiency to the distribution of the multimedia contentto the group of targeted recipients. The media server 422 can also varythe type of pull distribution, such as providing hyperlinks to themultimedia content on the targeted recipient's web page and/or on theuser's web page. As another example, the media server can providevarious modes of push distribution, such as an immediate delivery to alltargeted recipients or a batch delivery to groups of the targetedrecipients.

These are but a few examples of modifications that can be applied to thepresent disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 600 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 600 may include a processor 602 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 604 and a static memory 606, which communicate with each othervia a bus 608. The computer system 600 may further include a videodisplay unit 610 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system600 may include an input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 614 (e.g., a mouse), a mass storage medium 616, a signalgeneration device 618 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a networkinterface device 620.

The mass storage medium 616 may include a computer-readable storagemedium 622 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 624) embodying any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The computer-readable storage medium 622 can be an electromechanicalmedium such as a common disk drive, or a mass storage medium with nomoving parts such as Flash or like non-volatile memories. Theinstructions 624 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 604, the static memory 606, and/or within theprocessor 602 during execution thereof by the computer system 600. Themain memory 604 and the processor 602 also may constitutecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 624, or that which receives and executes instructions 624from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 626 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 626 using the instructions 624. Theinstructions 624 may further be transmitted or received over a network626 via the network interface device 620.

While the computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in an exampleembodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable storagemedium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media(e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated cachesand servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include anymedium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set ofinstructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine toperform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be takento include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to email orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a computer-readable storage medium or a distribution medium, aslisted herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successormedia, in which the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: recording, by a wirelesscommunication device having a processor, media content to generaterecorded media content in a first media format; accessing, by thewireless communication device, a media system by way of a wirelesscommunication network; transmitting, by the wireless communicationdevice, a request to the media system to store the recorded mediacontent for distribution based on a user profile associated with thecommunication device; and transmitting, by the wireless communicationdevice, the media content to the media system by way of the wirelesscommunication network, without retaining a copy of the recorded mediacontent in the first media format at the wireless communication device.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the recording of the media contentcomprises recording, by the wireless communication device, the mediacontent from another communication device.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the recorded media content in the first media format comprisesvideo content.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the device comprisescellular phone.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: accessing,by the wireless communication device, the media content in a secondmedia format to generate recorded media content in a second mediaformat; and retaining, by the wireless communication device, a copy ofthe recorded media content in the second media format to generate aretained copy of the recorded media content.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the first media format comprises a first resolution and thesecond media format comprises a second resolution to reduce a size ofthe retained copy of the recorded media content relative to the recordedmedia content in the first media format.
 7. The method of claim 3,wherein the recorded media content in the first media format isdistributed by the media system.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein oneof the transmitting of the media content to the media system, adistributing of the recorded media content by the media system or bothis based on a user profile.
 9. A mobile communication device,comprising: a memory storing executable instructions; and a processorcoupled with the memory, wherein the processor, responsive to executingthe instructions, performs operations comprising: recording mediacontent to generate recorded media content in a first media format;accessing a remote media system accessible by way of a wirelesscommunication network; forwarding a request to the remote media systemto store the recorded media content in the first media format based on auser preference associated with the communication device; and forwardingthe recorded media content in the first media format to the remote mediasystem, without retaining a copy of the recorded media content in thefirst media format.
 10. The mobile communication device of claim 9,wherein the recorded media content comprises video content, and whereinthe wireless communications network comprises a cellular communicationsnetwork.
 11. The mobile communication device of claim 9, wherein therecording of the media content in the first format comprises accessing,by the mobile communication device, the media content from anothercommunication device.
 12. The mobile communication device of claim 9,wherein the recording of the media content comprises recording, by themobile communication device, video content.
 13. The mobile communicationdevice of claim 12, wherein the mobile communication device comprisescellular phone.
 14. The mobile communication device of claim 13, whereinthe operations further comprise retaining, by the mobile communicationdevice, a local copy the media content according to a second mediaformat to obtain locally stored media content.
 15. The mobilecommunication device of claim 14, wherein the first media formatcomprises a first resolution and the second media format comprises asecond resolution to reduce a size of the locally stored media contentin comparison to the recorded media content in the first media format.16. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprisinginstructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor toperform operations comprising: recording media content at a mobilecommunication device to generate recorded media content in a first mediaformat; accessing a remote media system; forwarding a request to theremote media system to store the recorded media content in the firstmedia format; and forwarding the recorded media content in the firstformat to the remote media system, without retaining a copy of therecorded media content in the first media format at the mobilecommunication device.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 16, wherein the media content comprises video content.18. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 16,wherein the recording of the media content comprises recording videocontent.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim18, the mobile communication device comprises cellular phone.
 20. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein theoperations further comprise locally storing, by the mobile communicationdevice, the media content according to a second media format to obtainlocally stored media content.